EP0855301A1 - Cassette window opening mechanism for vehicle door - Google Patents

Abstract

The window winding mechanism consists of at least one guide rail for a sliding carriage (30) supporting the window (4) and components (35A, 35B) for lowering and raising the window. The carriage has a sliding section (30A) to match the rail, and the lower part of the carriage has a holder for the window (4), positioned with the lower edge of the glass at a distance from the upper part of the sliding section so that the end of the carriage's travel the lower edge of the window is at a predetermined distance from the lower end of the rail. The rails and their connecting components are made from moulded plastics, and each carriage is made in the shape of vertical outer and inner walls and a supporting base for the window. The carriages are raised and lowered by cables (35A, 35B), one of which has a spring (330) to take up play.

Description

The present invention relates to a window regulator cassette for vehicles.

It is known in the automotive industry to postpone the functions present inside the vehicle door on an assembly called "cassette". This cassette, which supports in particular the window regulator mechanism, mounts in the vehicle door. There are different types of doors vehicles as well as different types of cassettes.

It is known a door structure consisting of a shell which is extends, in its upper part, by a frame intended to receive the glass. The outer sheet of the shell constitutes the outer envelope of the door. This outer envelope is integral with an inner envelope comprising two openings separated by a stiffening link of the door. The stiffening link of the inner envelope is concave towards the inside of the door shell, to conform to the shape of the part protruding from the cassette which is mounted there.

Patent application WO 94 03341 filed by the applicant describes a molded plastic cassette which fits into such a structure door. This cassette has a rail on which moves vertically a window-lift carriage, as well as a window guide for an edge side of the window. The rail and the guide which are integral with the body of the cassette are also made of plastic. The carriage is driven in translation along the rail by a cable actuated by a motor housed in the cassette body. The cassette is inserted into the vehicle door by its upper part, the rail facing outwards from the vehicle. The upper ends of the rail and guide are inserted upwards in housings between the inner and outer shells of the shell Door. Then the lower part of the cassette is pivoted inwards of the door so that the lower ends of the rail and the guide penetrate turn inside the cassette. Then, the glass is introduced into the guide and it’s attached to the cart. Finally, the cassette is fixed to the inner sheet door, by fixing points located near the ends supporting the main efforts. The protruding part of the cassette located on the face carrying the glass is housed in the space freed by the concavity of the link stiffening.

The design of cars increasingly requires great glass surface. The higher the glass height, the more the rail and the guide the cassette should be long. Indeed, the rail of the window cassettes must be extended downwards accordingly, to allow the window to descend as low as possible between the two door envelopes. If the rail is not not long enough, the window will not go down completely in the lower part of the door. Therefore, the door frame cannot not be completely open.

However, when the length of the rail is extended too much, the cassette can no longer be mounted in the door shell provided with a link stiffening. The upper ends of the rail and guide can be inserted upwards in the slots between the inner envelopes and exterior of the door shell. But by pivoting the bottom of the cassette, the lower ends of the rail and the guide will abut on the lower edge openings in the inner shell of the shell. So the end bottom of the rail cannot be placed in the shell housings provided for this purpose. The maximum length of the rail that allows the mounting of the cassette in the shell does not allow the glass to descend to the limit bottom of the shell. There remains under the mounted cassette a distance of 30 mm approximately and which cannot be used to lower the window. It is not possible to modify the structure of the door, and a solution providing the cassette with telescopic rails would complicate the window regulator.

Document US 5,226,259 describes a door structure and a window regulator cassette integrated into this door structure. The tape window regulator is integrated in a frame which describes the outline of the door from the bottom edge to the top frame. This cassette contains two metal rails parallel to the side edges of the door on which slide on skids or glass support carriages. The frame that includes the window regulator is sandwiched between an envelope outer and an inner shell.

In this door structure the glass can descend to the lower end of the door. But this device is unsuitable for a molded plastic cassette structure, otherwise the rigidity of the interior body of the door. In addition, this window regulator modifies and complicates the door structure, this requires a number of parts important and complex assembly.

Document US 5,251,403 describes a plastic cassette molded with vertical guides for the side edges of a window. The cassette also includes two fixed metal arms pivoting one at a the other and forming an X. Each of the lower ends of the two arms has a roller sliding in a horizontal rail riveted to the glass, near the bottom edge of it. One of the arms, or supporting arm, is rotated around its upper end which is integral with The tape. The upper end of the other arm, or regulating arm, has a sliding shoe or carriage in a slot in the body of the cassette. Depending on the direction of rotation of the support arm, the ends lower of the two metal arms, sliding in the rail, will drive the rail, and therefore the glass, up or down.

However, this type of cassette must be mounted in a structure of modified door with no central stiffening link. Indeed, the two metal arms cannot be inserted inside the shell or only at the cost of a particularly complex assembly. By elsewhere, the structure of the cassette itself requires a large number of parts and cannot be molded in one piece.

The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a vehicle door cassette provided a window lifter device suitable for large windows and can be easily mounted on shell door structures provided with a stiffening link.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cassette vehicle doors of simple structure, which can be molded.

The present invention also aims to provide a cart stop device more resistant to repeated actuations.

This is achieved by the fact that the door window regulator cassette vehicle comprises at least one rail on which slides a support carriage window, and means for driving the carriage, each carriage comprising a complementary sliding part of the rail, a lower end of the carriage comprising means for holding and fixing the window, the edge lower of the window being distant from the upper end of the part sliding of the carriage so that, at the end of the carriage stroke, the edge bottom of the window protrudes by a determined distance from the end bottom of the rail.

According to another particular feature, the cassette and the rails are made up of a molded plastic block.

According to another particular feature, the glass support trolley is constituted two side walls connected at their lower end by a surface of support constituting a bottom so as to form substantially a U, the side walls and the bottom of the carriage constituting the holding means and fixing the glass, the glass being housed vertically between the two walls side of the carriage, the lower edge of the glass resting on the bottom of the trolley; a side wall of the carriage having a vertical groove constituting the sliding part of the carriage, the upper end of the sliding part comprising a flange intended to meet a stop, in end of travel of the carriage at the lower end of a rail.

According to another particularity the means for driving the carriage consist of at least one cable without sheath, connected to the carriage, the cable being driven by a motor, the carriage being provided with elastic means game catch-up.

According to another particularity the means for driving the carriage consist of at least one cable connected to the carriage, the cable being provided a sheath, the sheath resiliently providing backlash.

According to another particular feature, the glass support trolley is constituted two side walls connected at their lower end by a surface of support constituting a bottom so as to form substantially a U, the side walls and the bottom of the carriage constituting the holding means and fixing the glass, the glass being housed vertically between the two walls side of the carriage, the lower edge of the glass resting on the bottom of the trolley; an upper end of a side wall of the carriage comprising a rim constituting the sliding part of the carriage.

According to another particular feature, the cassette comprises, near the lower end of at least one rail, a damping stop.

According to another particular feature, the damping stopper is constituted of a part comprising a transverse drilling, the stopper being able to rotate around a fixing rod inserted in the hole and housed perpendicularly in the face of the cassette carrying the rails, the stop having a stop surface disposed near the end bottom of the rail, at the bottom of its travel, the bottom end of the edge of the carriage striking the abutment surface.

According to another particular feature, the cassette comprises means elastic cooperating with the stopper to oppose the rotation of the stopper in the direction of carriage support down.

According to another particularity, the stop comprises on its periphery a bearing surface, and in that the elastic means consist of a compression spring exerting pressure on the bearing surface of the stop so as to slightly raise the stop surface towards the top of the rail, and oppose the rotation of the stop when the sliding part of the carriage comes to strike the stop.

According to another particular feature, the damper stop constitutes also a lower pulley of the rail.

According to another particular feature, the damper stop comprises a housing in which a pulley is pivotally mounted, the stop being provided with a groove provided for the cable transmitting the forces lowering the shoe, the cable sliding in the groove of the stop, then passing through the pulley housed in the stop.

According to another particular feature, the peripheral surface of the stop pulley shock absorber located at the bottom of the cassette is curved and provided with a groove, the groove matching the curved outline of the stop and being located in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of movement of the carriage on the rail, to guide the lowering cable of the carriage sliding in the groove of the stopper pulley.

According to another particular feature, the elastic means opposing the rotation of the stop in the direction of carriage support downwards, consist of a tension spring secured to one end of the cassette and its other end, the stop.

According to another particular feature, the cassette comprises means for limitation of rotation of the stop pulley in opposite direction accompanying the trolley down.

According to another particular feature, the means for limiting the rotation of the pulley-stop are made of elastic means.

According to another particular feature, each carriage has two vertical housings respectively for the lowering cable and for the carriage lift cable, the housing for the lift cable being provided with second elastic means cooperating with the end of the cable when the carriage is pulled up the rail.

According to another particularity the housings for the cables lowering and raising are provided respectively, in the ledge of the carriage and in the wall provided with the rim, the two housings being in a plane substantially perpendicular to the side walls of the carriage.

According to another particular feature, the cable housings, lowering and raising respectively, each consist of a hole extended by a through conduit, of dimension corresponding to that of the cable, the holes and conduits being concentric and forming a shoulder at their junction, respectively down and up, the second elastic means consisting of a compression spring placed in the hole of the elevation cable housing, each of the cables being introduced into its housing by the conduit, the lowering cable is provided at its end with a part abutting the junction between the hole and the conduit when the cable is pulled down, and, the elevation cable being provided at its end with a part formed by a body extended by a head, the annular junction between the body and the head of the end piece elevation cable compressing the spring in the hole of the housing elevation, driving the carriage up on the rail.

According to another particular feature, the carriage has a recess lateral allowing to reduce the interval between the upper pulley of the cable and carriage drive system, as well as the interval between the upper pulley and the rail, so as to limit the torque effect caused by the tension of the cables.

According to another particular feature, the elevation cable is connected to the part lower part of the carriage and the lowering cable is connected to the upper part of the carriage.

According to another particular feature, the rail or rails are metallic and mounted on the cassette by means of the pulley axes, the pulley axes being fixed on the sheet of the vehicle door.

• la figure 1 représente une vue longitudinale, du côté de l'enveloppe intérieure, d'une structure de porte de véhicule,
• la figure 2 représente une vue en coupe latérale, selon la ligne AA, de la structure de porte de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 représente une vue en perspective éclatée d'une structure de cassette selon l'invention,
• la figure 4 représente une vue en perspective d'un coin inférieur d'une vitre logée dans un chariot support de vitre selon l'invention,
• la figure 5 représente un schéma de principe du fonctionnement d'un dispositif d'actionnement des chariots supports de vitre,
• figure 6 représente une vue de face d'un mécanisme de poulie-butée inférieure selon l'invention,
• la figure 7 représente une vue selon la coupe BB de la figure 6 du dispositif de butée selon l'invention, et dans lequel une vitre est montée sur les chariots,
• la figure 8 représente une vue en coupe de la figure 4, selon un plan perpendiculaire à la vitre, et passant par les deux logements des câbles d'entraínement du chariot,
• la figure 9 représente une vue en perspective d'un coin inférieur d'une vitre logée dans un chariot support de vitre, selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 10A représente une vue en coupe longitudinale, selon un plan de symétrie, d'une poulie butée dans un autre mode de réalisation selon l'invention,
• la figure 10B représente une vue de dessus de la poulie butée de la figure 10A,
• la figure 11 représente une vue en coupe d'une variante de réalisation des chariots selon l'invention, en position de butée supérieure.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the description below made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 represents a longitudinal view, from the side of the interior envelope, of a vehicle door structure,
• FIG. 2 represents a side sectional view, along the line AA, of the door structure of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 represents an exploded perspective view of a cassette structure according to the invention,
• FIG. 4 represents a perspective view of a lower corner of a window housed in a window support carriage according to the invention,
• FIG. 5 represents a block diagram of the operation of an actuating device for the glass support carriages,
• FIG. 6 represents a front view of a pulley-lower stop mechanism according to the invention,
• FIG. 7 represents a view along section BB of FIG. 6 of the stop device according to the invention, and in which a window is mounted on the carriages,
• FIG. 8 represents a sectional view of FIG. 4, along a plane perpendicular to the window, and passing through the two housings of the carriage drive cables,
• FIG. 9 represents a perspective view of a lower corner of a window housed in a window support carriage, according to another embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 10A represents a view in longitudinal section, along a plane of symmetry, of a pulley abutted in another embodiment according to the invention,
• FIG. 10B represents a top view of the stop pulley of FIG. 10A,
• Figure 11 shows a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the carriages according to the invention, in the upper stop position.

FIG. 1 represents a longitudinal view, from the side of the envelope interior (3), of a vehicle door structure of metallic material or composite. Such a vehicle door consists of a shell (1) which extends, in its upper part, by a frame (5) intended to receive the window (4). The outer sheet (2) of the shell constitutes the envelope outside of the door. This outer envelope (2) is integral with a inner envelope (3) comprising two openings (6A, 6B) separated by a stiffening link (11) of the door. The stiffening link (11) of the inner casing (3) is concave towards the inside of the door shell (1, figure 2). This concavity accommodates part of a cassette (20) substantially rectangular, located between two rails (21, 22) for carriage (30, 31). The door shell (1) comprises housings (12) intended for upper ends of the cassette rails. Housing (12A, 12B) for rail is provided in each of the upper parts of the two openings (6A, 6B), between the inner (3) and outer (2) envelopes of the door shell (1). These housings (12A, 12B), intended to receive the upper ends of the rails, each having a hole (13A, 13B) formed transversely in the inner casing (3) of the door (1). The non concave side edge of the opening (6B) located at the rear of the door comprises, substantially at mid-height of the opening, a bore (113). This drilling is made transversely in the inner envelope of the shell (1). Finally, the non-concave lateral edge of the opening (6A) located at the front of the door comprises, approximately halfway up the opening, a tab (112A). This tab (112A), which extends in the plane of the envelope inside (3) and towards the center of the opening, has a hole transverse. The four holes (13A, 13B, 113, 112B) located respectively in the two slots for rails (12A, 12B), in the edge and the tab (112A) of the lateral edges of the openings of the shell, constitute four points for fixing the cassette in the shell (1). The number, shape, and arrangement of these attachment points are not limited to the example described above.

FIG. 3 represents a perspective view of a structure of cassette (20) according to the invention. The cassette (20) consists of a panel molded plastic, substantially rectangular. The most edges of the cassette (20) constitute the upper and lower edges of the cassette (20). A longitudinal face (120) of the cassette (20) has two vertical rails (21, 22). A housing (121) for fixing screws is formed in each of the upper ends of the rails (21, 22) of the cassette. These two housings (121) are located opposite the bores (13A, 13B) of the door shell (1) to allow screws or clips to ensure the connection of the cassette with the door. A side edge of the cassette (20) is provided, substantially in the middle, with a fixing lug (500A) which extends laterally in a plane parallel to the rails (21, 22). This fixing lug (500A) has a transverse bore (500B). A second bore (501) is also provided in the other lateral edge of the cassette (20), substantially in the middle. The transverse drilling (500B) of the fixing lug (500A) of the cassette receives a fixing screw which cooperates with the bore (113) of the lateral edge of the housing (6A) located at the back of the door (1). Similarly, the second hole (501) on the other edge side of the cassette is intended to receive another screw or clips which is fixed in the hole (112B) of the tab (112A) of the housing (6B) located at the front of the door. Each rail (21, 22) extends vertically above the upper edge of the cassette (20). A carriage (30, 31) window support (4) slides on each rail (21, 22). Mechanisms (not shown) realizing the various functions of the door are fixed on the other side of the cassette (20), on the longitudinal side which has no rails. The cable drive mechanisms (35A, 35B) transmitting forces lifting and lowering carriages (30, 31) are arranged on the face of the cassette carrying the rails. When mounting the cassette (20) in the door, these projecting elements arranged between the rails are housed in the concavity of the stiffening link (11) of the door (1).

The mounting of the cassette (20) in the door shell (1) can proceed as follows: the cassette (20) is inserted into the door of the vehicle by its upper part, the rails facing outwards from the vehicle. The upper ends of the rails (21, 22) are inserted towards the high in the housings (12) between the inner casings (3) and outside (2) of the door shell (1). At the same time, the leg of fixing (500A) of the cassette is introduced at the back of the door, between the inner (3) and outer (2) envelopes of the door shell (1). Then, the lower part of the cassette (20) is pivoted towards the inside of the door (1) so that the rest of the cassette (20) in turn enters the inside of the shell (1). Thus, the lateral edge of the cassette (20) provided of the second hole (501) is placed behind the tab (112A) of the opening (6A) located at the front of the door. Fixing the cassette (20) in the door shell (1) can be produced in a manner known from a person skilled in the art, for example by screws or clips.

The longitudinal face (120) provided with rails (21, 22) will be mounted towards the outside of the vehicle. Also, and for the sake of simplification, we hereinafter denote the longitudinal face (120) of the cassette provided rails by the term: "outside face of the cassette", or "outside face". A first vertical rail (21) is located on the lateral edge of the outer face of the cassette (20) which is provided with a fixing lug (500A). A second rail (22) is located on the same outer face (120) of the cassette (20), parallel to the first rail (21) and close to the other lateral edge, i.e. one which includes a bore (501). In cross section, each rail (21) formed of an L-profile is molded at the same time as the cassette with a leg of the L parallel and distant from the longitudinal face (120) of the cassette. The branch of L which is parallel to the longitudinal faces of the cassette (20) is oriented towards the outside of the cassette (20). This example rail shape is not limiting, the rail can have any other shape known. For example, the rails (21, 22) may have a section transverse in T or in Y. Each of the rails (21, 22) extends vertically above the upper edge of the cassette (20). These portions of rails which extend above the cassette panel are formed on rail support lugs (25, 26) which extend the panel of the cassette (20). These rail support legs (25, 26) are located in a parallel plane to the outer face (120) of the cassette. In addition to drilling (121) for the fixing the cassette (20) in the door (1), a second hole (122) is formed in each of the upper ends of the support legs rail (25, 26). This second hole (122) is provided for fixing a upper pulley (23) intended for the cables for driving the carriages (30, 31). Each of the upper pulleys (23) is mounted on a support leg rail (25, 26), the axis of rotation of the pulley (23) being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal faces of the cassette (20). The panel cassette (20) also includes near the lower edge of the cassette (20) two transverse holes (1122) each intended for a lower pulley (40). Each of these two holes (1122) is provided, substantially vertically the holes (122) intended for mounting the upper pulleys (23). The lower pulleys (40) mounted on the face outside (120) of the cassette (20). Fixing means (1123/123) ensure in known manner the free mounting in rotation of the pulleys (23, 40) on axes mounted in the transverse holes (122, 1122). In a way known, the axes of the pulleys (23, 40) are fixed on the sheet of the door (1). The two upper pulleys (23) are located in a plane parallel to the plane containing the two lower pulleys (40), and slightly away from the outer face (120) of the cassette (20). This arrangement of the pulleys upper (23) is obtained by the curvature of the rail support legs (25, 26). However, this arrangement of the upper pulleys (23) can be also made by means of more elongated fixing rods (123) and provided with a shoulder along their length against which the pulley (23) will be positioned. On each of the rails (21, 22) slides a carriage (30, 31) window support (4). The window (4) (FIG. 7) is carried by the carriages (30, 31), on the side of the outer face (120) of the cassette (20). The window (4) is moves substantially parallel to the longitudinal faces of the cassette (20). The two upper pulleys (23) and the two lower pulleys (40) guide two drive cables (35) (Figure 5) of the two carriages (30, 31). The cable drive mechanism is known from the skilled person, a block diagram of the operation thereof is shown in Figure 5. Each carriage (30, 31) is connected to one of two ends of each two cables (35). Each cable (35) passes through the upper pulley (23) of one of the two rails (21, 22), and simultaneously on the lower pulley (40) of the other rail (21). The two cables (35) are mounted so that they describe an 8 and one of the two cables forms a loop on the axis of a drive motor (36). The drive engine (36) wraps one end of one of the two cables (35) while the other ends unwinds or vice versa to drive each of the two carriages (30, 31) in the same direction, either raising or lowering.

Each carriage (30, 31) (Figures 3 to 8) window support (4) is consisting of two side walls (30A, 30B) rectangular and parallel. These two side walls (30A, 30B) are connected at their lower end by a bottom (30C) so as to form substantially a U. The bottom (30C) constitutes a support surface for a window (4) housed between the two parallel walls (30A, 30B) of the carriage (30, 31). The lower part of the window (4) is housed vertically between the two side walls (30A, 30B) of the two carriages (30, 31). This window (4) therefore rests by the lower edge on the support surface (30C) of the carriages (30, 31). The two walls lateral (30A, 30B) of the carriage (30) have different thicknesses. Wall (30A) side of the carriage (30) of greater thickness has a vertical groove (131) over the entire height of the carriage (30). The groove (131) is located on the edge of the side wall (30A), parallel to the window (4) and which is not in contact with the glass (4). This groove (131) has a profile complementary to the profile of the rail (21) so that the carriage (30) can slide on the latter. This side wall (30A) provided with a groove (131) constitutes the sliding part of the carriage (30), thus, this wall will hereinafter called sliding wall (30A). The groove (131) has the form an L whose first branch is perpendicular to the side walls (30A, 30B) of the carriage (30). The upper end of the sliding wall (30A) has a parallelepiped rim (130). This rim (130) is perpendicular to the sliding wall (30A), and oriented towards the outside of the U constituted by the carriage (30). The rim (130) is formed by the end top of the sliding wall (30A) located along the first L branch of the groove (131). That is to say that the rim (130) is of a side of the groove (131), between the groove (131) and the center of the window (4). The rim (130) of the carriage (30) has a first vertical housing (230) for the end of the cable (35A) which transmits the lowering forces of the carriage (30). This first housing (230) consists of a cylindrical hole (230A), formed in the upper surface of the rim (130) of the carriage (30). This cylindrical hole (230A) extends towards the bottom of the carriage (30) by cylindrical conduit of diameter corresponding to the diameter of the cable lowering (35A). The conduit (230B) opens into the underside of the rim (130). The hole (230A) and the conduit (230B) are concentric and form a downward shoulder at their junction, in the thickness of the rim (130). The lowering cable (35A) of the carriage (30) is introduced into its housing (230) through the conduit (230B). A cylindrical head (135A) (Figure 8) is fixed to the end of the lowering cable (35A). This head cylindrical (135A) is housed in the cylindrical hole (230A) of the flange (130). When the cable (35A) is driven down, the cylindrical part (135A) in abutment on the bottom of the hole (230A), drives the carriage (30) in the direction of its lowering. The cable (35A) extends downwards and passes through the lower pulley (40) of the lower end of the rail (21). Wall sliding (30A) of the carriage (30) has a second vertical housing (1230) for the end of the cable (35B) which transmits the lifting forces to the carriage (30). This second housing (1230) is located in a plane perpendicular to the side walls (30A, 30B) of the carriage (30), and passing by the housing (230) of the lowering cable (35A). This accommodation elevation (1230) consists of a vertical cylindrical hole (1230A) and formed in the underside of the wall (30A) of the carriage (30), near the bottom (30C) of the carriage. This cylindrical hole (1230A) extends upwards in the thickness of the wall by a cylindrical conduit (1230B) of diameter corresponding to the diameter of the lifting cable (35B). The conduit (1230B) opens into the upper end of the wall (30A) of the carriage (30). This hole (1230A) and this conduit (1230B) are concentric and form a stop upwards at their junction, in the thickness of the wall (30A) of the carriage (30). This stop is located about a quarter of the height of the carriage (30) from the bottom (30C). A compression spring (330) is placed in the hole (1230A) in the elevation housing (1230) to allow retrofitting A part (135B), formed of a cylindrical body extending by a concentric cylindrical head is attached to the end of the elevation cable (35B). The junction between the body and the head of the part (135B) forms a annular stop. When the elevation cable is pulled up the rail (21), this annular stop located at the end of the cable (35B) compresses in part the spring (330) in the cylindrical hole (1230A) until the cylindrical body comes into abutment. Thus, the carriage (30) is pulled upwards of the rail (21). The spring provides damping and adaptation in cable length. This avoids jolts in the translation of the window (4). This adaptation can also be carried out in the known manner consisting in providing the ends of the cables with elastic means. The elevation cable (35B) extends to the top of the rail (21) and passes through the corresponding upper pulley (23). Remember that the pulleys upper (23) are not located vertically below the pulleys (40), but slightly distant from the outside face (120) of the cassette (20). This is why the two cable housings (230, 1230) are not located in a plane parallel to the side walls (30A, 30B) of the carriage (30). Only the carriage (30) sliding on the rail (21) located on a lateral edge of the cassette (20) provided with a fixing lug (500A) has been described. However, the other carriage (31) and its rail (22) are symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to the outer face (120) of the cassette (20). The example of realization of the carriages (30, 31) described above is in no way limiting. Thus, for example, the 4 pulleys (23, 40) can be arranged in a same plane parallel to the outer face (120) of the cassette (20). In this configuration, the housings (230, 1230) for lowering cables (35A) and elevation (35B) will be located in the same plane, parallel to side walls (30A, 30B) of the carriage (30, 31). These cable slots (230, 1230) can be made in any known way in the thickness of the sliding wall (30A) of the carriage, or in the flange (130) of this sliding wall (30A).

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a lower corner a window (4) housed in a glass support carriage (30), according to another embodiment of the invention. In this other embodiment the groove (131) does not extend over the entire height of the carriage (30). The groove (131) is formed in a flange (130) located on an upper end a side wall (30A). The rim (130) is perpendicular to the wall lateral (30A), over the entire width of the lateral wall (30A). The elements identical to the elements of FIGS. 4 and 8 are designated by the same digital references. The lower stop pulleys (40) are fixed on the outer face (120) of the cassette (20), each near a corner lower of the cassette (20) and substantially vertical to a pulley upper (23). The lower pulleys (40) are pivotally mounted on fixing rods (123). The pulley located near the end bottom of the other rail (22) of the cassette (20) may or may not be identical to the stop pulley (40). This other pulley (40) (not shown) in Figure 6 will be mounted in the same way, but symmetrically with respect to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal faces of the cassette (20). Pulley stop (40) consists of a part having substantially the shape of a half disc. The lateral surface of the contour of the half-disc which is not curve consists of two rectangular flat surfaces (41, 42) parallel and forming a step. The bottom surface (41) of the step is called "abutment surface", the upper surface of the step (42) is called "bearing surface". The curved surface of the pulley outline (40) has a groove (43) for the passage of an elevation cable (35A) from the carriage (30). This groove (43) substantially matches the circular outline of the pulley (40) and becomes deeper as it approaches the abutment surface (41) of the pulley (40). The pulley (40) has a hole transverse cylindrical (44) The axis of the bore (44) is substantially in the plane of the abutment surface (41) of the pulley (40), and close to the edge curve of this pulley (40). The hole (44) is intended for mounting the pulley (40) on the fixing rod (123), and on the outside of the cassette (20). The two flat faces (41, 42) of the pulley (40) are turned towards the top of the cassette (20), the abutment surface (41) oriented towards the rail (21). A spring for example, compression (50), secured by one of its ends of the cassette (20), exerts pressure from another end on the bearing surface (42) of the pulley (40), near the circular outline pulley (40). In this way, the spring (50) tends to rise slightly this abutment surface (41) upwards. Pulley (40) can rotate slightly around its fixing rod (123), but this rotation is limited by the cable which slides in its groove. The upper pulleys (23) rotate around their axis of rotation, entrained by the lifting cables (35B), while the lowering cable (35A) slides in the groove (43) of the lower pulley (40). When the carriage (30) is in the high position on the rail (21), the lower pulley (40) has its abutment face (41) slightly raised upwards relative to the lower end of the rail (21). When the lowering cable is driven down the rail (21), the carriage (30) descends along the rail (21). When the glass support carriage (30) (4) arrives at the lower end of the rail (21), at the bottom of the cassette (20), its stroke is stopped by the stop surface (41) of the pulley. The face lower of the parallelepipedic rim (130) of the carriage (30) strikes the abutment surface (41) of the pulley (40). The pulley (40) absorbs this contact by slightly turning on itself around the fixing rod (123) in the direction opposite to that of spring action. During this rotation, the pulley (40) lowers slightly and accompanies the carriage (30). Simultaneously, the upper flat face of the pulley (42) is raised and compresses the spring (50) which provides damping. Such a stop supports repeated actuations by the carriage (30) without risk of break. Thus, the lower pulley (40) described above also has for function of making a shock-absorbing stop. When the carriage (30) has arrived at the end of the race, at the bottom of the rail (21), its rim (130) rests on the surface of the stop (41). The U-shaped structure of the carriage (30) allows the bottom (30C) of the carriage to protrude under the lower end of the rail (21). Of this way, the lower edge of the window (4), carried by the carriages (30, 31), can descend below the lower edge of the cassette (20), and penetrate behind the lower door strip (3A). In this way, the cassette will be easily mounted in the door shell (1). The bottom edge of the window (4) will protrude by a determined distance D (figure 6) under the cassette (20). This distance D will for example be a function of the shape of the carriages (30, 31), that is to say the height of the parallel faces of the carriage (30, 31), or the edge thickness (130) of this same carriage. It is therefore possible use all the space available in the bottom of the shell (1) to make lower the window (4). In Figure 2 is shown in dotted lines the position lower (4 ') from the lower part of the glass in the bottom of the shell (1). The embodiment of the carriages (30, 31) is not limited to the example described above. For example, the window (4) can be fixed by any other means known on carts. Similarly, other embodiments of the stops lower falls within the scope of the invention. For example it is possible replace the lower stop pulleys (40) described above, with pulleys identical to the upper pulleys (30). In this case, a stop (40) having substantially the same structure as the stop pulley (40) previously described can be placed on the cassette or on the door to near the lower end of the rail (21, 22). Likewise, this stop (40) can be mounted on the same fixing rod as a lower pulley of traditional type. Another possibility is to provide the lower end one of the two rails (21, 22) of a stop pulley (40) according to the invention, while the other lower end of the other rail has a pulley of traditional type. In this case, only one of the two carriages (30, 31) meets a stop (40) when it reaches the lower end of the rail. But, account given the drive system described above, when one of the two rails is stopped, the other rail also stops, by action of the cable (35B). Moreover, thanks to the weight of the glass and the elastic means (50, 330), respectively of the stop and the carriages, an adjustment is created, and therefore the lower edge of the glass remains horizontal.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show a stop pulley (40), intended to be arranged at the lower end of a rail (21, 22), in another mode according to the invention. In these figures the identical elements to the elements of the preceding figures are designated by the same digital references. In this other embodiment, the stop pulley (40) consists of a part (401) having the shape of a half-disc, substantially identical to the stop pulley (40) of Figures 6 and 7. This half-disc (401) therefore also includes a bearing surface (42) and a abutment surface (41). Thus, the half-disc (401) performs the function of stop for the carriage (30). This half-disc (401) comprises, substantially in its middle, a longitudinal housing (402) intended for a pulley (403) of traditional type. This traditional pulley (403) has the shape of a disc provided with a transverse bore (404). The half disc (401) has a transverse hole in which a rod is introduced (not shown) intended for fixing the stop pulley (40) on the cassette. Pulley (403) is mounted to rotate freely on this fixing rod, inside the half-disc (401). Thus, the axis of rotation of the pulley (403) is perpendicular to the longitudinal faces of the half-disc (401). That is to say that the axis of rotation of the pulley (403) in the half-disc (401) is parallel to the surfaces, support (42) and stop (41). The half disc (401) is provided also of a groove (43) which substantially follows the contour of the half-disc (401), from the edge of the bearing surface (41), into the housing (402) for the pulley (403). The groove (43) is provided for the cable (35A) transmitting the lowering forces of the shoe (30). The cable (35A) coming from the carriage (30) passes into the groove (43) of the half-disc (401), then in the pulley (403) housed in the half-disc (403). So when the carriage (30) is moving, the cable (35A) slides in the half-disc (403), and rotates the pulley (403). Other means of fastening pulley stop (40) to the cassette are within the scope of the invention.

In the embodiment described above, the carriages (30, 31) contain springs (330) which provide backlash and a length adaptation of cables when moving the window. In another variant of the invention, the carriages (30, 31) do not contain these springs. In this case, the cables (35A, 35B), for example of the type "BOWDEN", are provided with a sheath of known type. The sheath cables assembly then comprises known means for taking up play at the level means (36) for driving the cables.

Figure 11 shows a sectional view of a variant advantageous embodiment of the carriages (30, 31) according to the invention, the carriage (30) shown being in the upper stop position. The elements identical to those described above are designated by the same references digital. The carriage (30) of the variant of Figure 11 has a lateral recess (133) provided for the upper pulley (23) when the carriage arrives at the upper stop. This recess (133) makes it possible to reduce the interval between the upper pulley (23) and the carriage (30, 31) in the position of upper stop, as well as the interval between the pulley (23) and the rail (21, 22). Of this way the torque effect caused by the cable tension (35B) rise is avoided, the cable tension, equal to the motor tension, can take values between 12 and 16 daN. Thanks to that advantageous shape, the angle A described by the extreme positions of the cable (35B) of elevation between the high and low positions of the carriage (30, 31) is at most equal to 15 degrees. For this purpose, the shape of the conduit (230B) of cable passage (35B) is adapted accordingly, to allow different inclinations of the cable (35B). Furthermore, the carriage (30, 31) can not be provided with the spring (330) ensuring the backlash at the level from the end of the elevation cable (33B).

Preferably, in all the embodiments of the carriages (30, 31), the lifting cable (35B) is hooked to the part lower of the carriage (30, 31) while the lowering cable (35A) is attached to the upper part of the carriage (30, 31). In this way, the efficiency of the translation of the carriages (30, 31) on the rails (21, 22) is finds improved.

In another alternative embodiment, the cassette (20) does not include no plastic rails, molded in one piece with the cassette (20). In this case, metal rails can be mounted by known means on the cassette (20). For example, the metal rails have substantially the shape an S in cross section. Advantageously, the metal rails are then mounted on the axis (123) of the pulleys (23, 40), the axes of the pulleys being fixed on the sheet metal of the vehicle door. These metal rails allow in particular to improve the rigidity of the assembly and ensure better sliding of the carriages (30, 31).

It is clear that other modifications within the reach of man of the trade fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims (22)

Vehicle door window regulator cassette comprising at least one rail (21, 22) on which slides a carriage (30, 31) glass support (4) and means (35A, 35B, 36) for driving the carriage, characterized in that each carriage (30, 31) has a sliding part (30A, 130, 131) complementary to the rail (21, 22), a lower end of the carriage (30, 31) comprising means for holding and fixing (30A, 30B, 30C) of the window (4), and in that the lower edge of the window is distant from the end upper part of the sliding part (30A, 130, 131) of the carriage (30, 31) of so that, at the end of the carriage travel (30, 31), the lower edge of the window (4) protrudes by a determined distance from the lower end of the rail (21, 22). Vehicle door window regulator cassette according to claim 1 characterized in that the cassette (20) and the rails (30, 31) are made of a molded plastic block. Vehicle door window regulator cassette according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the glass support carriage (30, 31) (4) is consisting of two side walls (30A, 30B) connected at their ends lower by a support surface (30C) constituting a bottom so as to substantially form a U, the side walls (30A, 30B) and the bottom (30C) of the carriage (30, 31) constituting the means for holding and fixing the window (4), the window (4) being housed vertically between the two side walls (30A, 30B) of the carriage (30, 31), the lower edge of the window (4) resting on the bottom of the carriage (30, 31); a side wall (30A) of the carriage comprising a vertical groove (131) constituting the sliding part of the carriage (30, 31), the upper end of the sliding part having a flange (130) intended to meet a stop (40), at the end of the carriage (30) travel the lower end of a rail (21, 22). Vehicle window regulator cassette according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means for driving the carriage (30, 31) consist of at least one cable (35A, 35B) without sheath, connected to the carriage (30, 31), the cable (35A, 35B) being driven by a motor (36), the carriage (30, 31) being provided with elastic means (330) for game catching up. Vehicle window regulator cassette according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means for driving the carriage (30, 31) consist of at least one cable (35A, 35B) connected to the carriage (30, 31), the cable (35A, 35B) being provided with a sheath, the sheath providing elastic backlash. Vehicle window regulator cassette according to one of the claim 1, 2, 4 or 5, characterized in that the carriage (30, 31) supports window (4) consists of two side walls (30A, 30B) connected to their lower end by a support surface (30C) constituting a bottom of so as to form substantially a U, the side walls (30A, 30B) and the bottom (30C) of the carriage (30, 31) constituting the holding and fixing means of the window (4), the window (4) being housed vertically between the two walls side (30A, 30B) of the carriage (30, 31), the lower edge of the window (4) resting on the bottom of the carriage (30, 31); an upper end of a side wall (30A) of the carriage comprising a flange (130) constituting the sliding part of the carriage (30, 31). Vehicle window regulator cassette according to one of the Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cassette (20) comprises, at proximity of the lower end of at least one rail (21, 22), a stop shock absorber (40). Vehicle door window regulator cassette according to claim 7, characterized in that the shock absorber stop (40) consists of a single piece comprising a transverse bore (44), the stop (40) being able to rotate around a fixing rod (123) inserted into the bore (44) and housed perpendicularly in the face (120) of the cassette carrying the rails (21, 22), the stop (40) comprising a stop surface (41) arranged at near the lower end of the rail (21, 22), at the end of its travel towards the bottom, the lower end of the rim (130) of the carriage (30, 31) striking the abutment surface (41) Vehicle door window regulator cassette according to claim 8, characterized in that the cassette (20) includes elastic means (50) cooperating with the stop (40) to oppose the rotation of the stop (40) in the direction of the carriage (30, 31) downward. Vehicle door window regulator cassette according to claim 9 characterized in that the stop (40) has a surface on its periphery support (42), and in that the elastic means (50) consist of a compression spring exerting pressure on the bearing surface (42) of the stop (40) so as to slightly raise the stop surface (41) towards the top of the rail (21, 22), and oppose the rotation of the stop (40) when the sliding part (130) of the carriage (30, 31) strikes the stop (40). Vehicle window regulator cassette according to one of the Claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the damping stop (40) also constitutes a lower pulley of the rail (21, 22). Vehicle door window regulator cassette according to claim 11, characterized in that the damping stop (40) includes a housing (402) in which a pulley (403) is pivotally mounted, the stop (40) being provided with a groove (43) provided for the cable (35A) transmitting the efforts to lower the shoe (30), the cable (35A) sliding in the groove (43) of the stop (401), then passing through the pulley (403) housed in the stop (403). Vehicle door window regulator cassette according to claim 11, characterized in that the peripheral surface of the stop pulley shock absorber (40) located at the bottom of the cassette (20) is curved and provided a groove (43), the groove (43) matching the curved outline of the stop and being located in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of movement of the carriage (30, 31) on the rail (21, 22), to guide the lowering cable (35A) of the carriage (30, 31) sliding in the groove of the stop pulley (40). Vehicle door window regulator cassette according to claim 9 characterized in that the elastic means (50) opposing the rotation from the stop in the direction of carriage travel downwards, are made up of a tension spring secured to one end of the cassette (20) and its other end, the stop (40). Vehicle door window regulator cassette according to claims 9, characterized in that the cassette (20) includes means for limitation of rotation of the stopper pulley (40) in the opposite direction to the direction accompanying the carriage (30, 31) downwards (50). Vehicle door window regulator cassette according to claim 15 characterized in that the means for limiting the rotation of the stop pulley (40) consist of elastic means. Vehicle door window regulator cassette according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that each carriage (30, 31) has two vertical housings (230, 1230) respectively for the lowering cable (35A) and for the lifting cable (35B) of the carriage (30, 31), the housing (1230) for the elevation cable (35B) being provided with second means elastic (330) cooperating with the end of the cable (35B) when the carriage (30, 31) is pulled up from the rail (21, 22). Vehicle door window regulator cassette according to claim 17 characterized in that the housings for the lowering cables (35A) and elevation (35B) are provided respectively, in the rim (130) of the carriage (30, 31) and in the wall (30A) provided with the flange (130), both housings being in a plane substantially perpendicular to the walls side (30A, 30B) of the carriage. Vehicle door window regulator cassette according to claim 18 characterized in that the housings (230, 1230) of the cables, respectively lowering (35A) and raising (35B), are constituted each of a hole (230A, 1230A) extended by a conduit (230B, 1230B) opening, of dimension corresponding to that of the cable (35A, 35B), the holes (230A, 1230A) and conduits (230B, 1230B) being concentric and forming a shoulder at their junction, downward and downward respectively top, the second elastic means (330) consisting of a spring compression placed in the hole (1230A) of the elevation cable housing (35B), each of the cables (35A, 35B) being introduced into its housing (230, 1230) via the conduit (230B, 1230B), the lowering cable (35A) is provided at its end of a part (135A) abutting on the junction between the hole (230A) and the conduit (230B) when the cable (35A) is pulled down, and, the cable of elevation being provided at its end with a part (135B) formed of a body extended by a head, the annular junction between the body and the head of the part (135B) of the end of the elevation cable (35B) coming compress the spring (330) in the hole (1230B) of the elevation housing (1230), driving the carriage (30, 31) upwards on the rail (21, 22). Vehicle window regulator cassette according to one of the claims 4 to 19 characterized in that the carriage (30, 31) comprises a lateral recess (133) allowing the interval between the pulley to be reduced (23) upper cable drive system and the carriage (30, 31), as well as the interval between the upper pulley (35) and the rail (21, 22), of so as to limit the torque effect caused by cable tension (35B). Vehicle door window regulator cassette according to claims 4, 5, 17 and 19 characterized in that the lifting cable (35B) is connected to the lower part of the carriage (30, 31) and in that the cable (35A) lowering is connected to the upper part of the carriage (30, 31). Vehicle door window regulator cassette according to claim 1 characterized in that the rail (s) (21, 22) are metallic and mounted on the cassette by means of the axes of the pulleys (23, 40), the axes of the pulleys (23, 40) being fixed on the sheet metal of the vehicle door.

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